I studied agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 1984 and completing my M.Sc Agric. in 1998. . My love for "Controlled Environmental Agriculture" (CEA), started in my third year when I was exposed to the Welgevallen Research Station. There Prof. P.C.Maree showed us what hydroponics consisted of. It was awesome. There were no large tractors involved, no dusty fields, no uncontrollable storms to destroy your crop (well that is what I thought).
Since then I put hydroponics to much better use, not just farming. We solved pollution problems by cleaning mines effluent with hydroponics and aquaculture. They were used to remove toxic metals to produce clean water (which we sold and make more money of than the produce). What I learned from 1987 I tried to compile in this website and I hope it is from some value to the serious commercial farmer that wants to take the journey into Commercial Hydroponic Farming.
Diseases of crops grown and closed hydroponic systems can be a problem and occasionally catastrophic. However, the presence of a pathogen does not necessarily mean...
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) is the world’s most valuable fruit and essential greenhouse crop. They deliver vital nutrients to our diets and serve as a pivotal...
Factors determining plant temperature in a greenhouse. Radiation or heat energy can be reflected, transmitted, absorbed, conducted, re-radiated or used to evaporate water. Evaporation requires...
There are various ways viruses can spread throughout the greenhouse. Transmission or method of spreading depends on the virus genes. A virus cannot move from...
The intricate relationship between the fruit’s acidity and sugar content affects how it tastes. A modest role is also played by other substances such as...
Everyone has become more knowledgeable about the spread of viruses and the diseases they cause. Just like the COVID virus, we have to understand the...
The nutrient content of water soluble hydroponic fertilizers is not always clearly indicated on packaging. It is fine that fertilizer companies take control out of...
Well planned spray programs are more effective than unplanned, random chemical applications. Have you ever considered spraying when there is no pests or diseases? Poorly...
The disease is found in conditions if high humidity, especially in poor ventilated greenhouses or where the ventilation is not controlled properly. Optimum temperature for...
Changing the length of the dark and light periods is another way of growth control. It is an important aspect of greenhouse culture, especially flowers....
Understanding the effect of radiation on plants will help identify weaknesses in your greenhouse. The effect of radiation can be divided into three parts; its...
Resistance to chemicals is due to the intense selection pressure exerted on the population that is controlled. There is only a limited number of chemicals...
The protected greenhouse environment The greenhouse environment is designed to allow plants to perform close to their genetic optimum so that the grower achieves maximum...
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